In this issue: Andy & Jamie give a great overview of fitness boxing, and we feature the popular Balazs
i-Box Speed Bag Platform. Please visit and 'Like' our FaceBook page for videos, photos, info & more!

Fitness Boxing:
The Ultimate Cross-Training Exercise Program

The Heavy bag

Fitness Boxing takes the best part
of a boxer's workout and combines
it with mainstream fitness. It is a
unique workout that is not just a
means to an end, but is an end in
itself. Anyone wanting a new and
different fitness-training regimen
will find Fitness Boxing challenging
and the results rewarding.

An increasing number of people
are searching for ways to improve
their physique and many have become
plain bored with traditional
exercises. Some of the benefits of
a fitness boxing workout include
improvements in the cardio-respiratory
and vascular systems, muscular
strength and improved agility,
response and reaction time. This is
accomplished by shadow boxing,
practicing punch combinations, hitting
the heavy bag, speed bag, target
mitt training and skipping.

Cross-Training

Fitness boxing provides the ultimate
cross training challenge because
of the

very unique nature of the sports training sessions. Cross training, alternating between two
or more types of activities, not
only reduces the risk of injuries
from over-training in one mode, but
constantly surprises the body and
forces it to adjust to the diverse
demands. It also adds variety and
fun to a fitness program. Learn to
develop a smooth rhythm on the
speed bag, improve your hand-eye
coordination with jump rope. When
hitting the bag, feel the power in
the arms, the contact with the bag
and the rebound off the bag. Try to
become only involved in the activity,
making the movements spontaneous
and automatic.

Base Level Fitness

Everyone has a starting point from
which to build a stronger and healthier
body. Many contributing factors,
such as heredity, age and gender
will influence the ability of the body
to respond to the demands placed
on it. Each individual has abilities,
capacities and capabilities distinctive
to themselves and the goal of
optimum fitness is to try to achieve
the

best physical condition in the
areas of muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular and respiratory
endurance, flexibility and
body composition specific for you.
The base fitness level, your starting
point or your current fitness
level will improve quickly if you are
starting at a lower level, than if you
are currently a trained individual.
As you become more physically fit
it can be more challenging to attain
a higher fitness level because
of the various contributing factors
unique to each individual. Fitness
Boxing allows for success, whether
you're just starting out, or a more
seasoned athlete.

Fitness is such an important part of
life's journey because of the health
and physical gains, the psychological,
social and self-worth benefits.
How we feel and perform is a function
of how and what we think. The
sense of well being, relaxation, joy
carries over from the workout into
the rest of your life. Sticking to a
workout program will carry over
into other parts of your life and give
a feeling of empowerment.